By Fidel Rahmati in The Khaama Press Online, November 22, 2023
On Tuesday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller revealed that Washington is actively engaged in continuous communication with Islamabad regarding the 25,000 Afghans in Pakistan awaiting their US visas.
Miller emphasized the importance of collaborating in good faith with the Government of Pakistan to address any concerns related to the safety of individuals in the US visa pipeline.
The primary focus of the United States is ensuring the safety of vulnerable and at-risk individuals, with a shared interest in the safe and efficient resettlement of refugees and asylum seekers between both countries.
Miller, on behalf of the US government, urged all countries, including Pakistan, to fulfil their obligations in treating refugees and asylum seekers. He also called on Afghanistan’s neighbours to permit entry for Afghans seeking international protection.
“Our key concern is the safety of the vulnerable and at-risk individuals. We believe it is in our countries’ interests to ensure the safe and efficient resettlement of refugees and asylum seekers. And we join all of our partners in urging all countries, including Pakistan, to uphold their respective obligations in the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers and strongly encourage all of Afghanistan’s neighbours to allow entry for Afghans seeking international protection and coordinate with international humanitarian organizations to provide humanitarian assistance,” Miller said.
Simultaneously, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its humanitarian partners actively provide critical aid at border crossing points between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Responding to the forced return of hundreds of thousands of Afghans, the IOM has reported that nearly 375,000 Afghans have left Pakistan in the past two months, primarily through the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings.
The surge in border crossings is attributed to Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan, which established a November 1 deadline for the “voluntary return” of all undocumented Afghans in Pakistan to their home country.
The IOM-led border consortium delivers essential services such as shelter, water, sanitation, household items, healthcare, protection, nutrition, cash assistance for basic needs, transportation, and food.
The critical aid is a response to the escalating humanitarian situation and aims to address the immediate needs of forcibly returned Afghans.
As the international community continues to grapple with the Afghan refugee crisis, the cooperation between the United States, Pakistan, and humanitarian organizations reflects a shared commitment to ensuring the well-being and safety of those affected by the ongoing challenges in the region.
https://www.khaama.com/us-state-department-and-islamabad-collaborate-closely-for-afghans-awaiting-us-visas/
- AFGHAN SCENE –TALIBAN MEET
Ministers’ Council Meeting Led by Islamic Emirate Leader Held in Kandahar
Report in TOLOnews Online, Nov 22, 2023 at 8:28 PM
A meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Islamic Emirate was held in Kandahar under the leadership of Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Islamic Emirate.
The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a statement that during the meeting, Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada tasked the members of the political commission under the leadership of the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, to prepare internal and foreign policy procedures for the implementation of constructive policies.
“All of Afghanistan’s ministers of the Islamic Emirate attended this meeting, and significant topics were discussed. All of the ministers received the appropriate advice from Amir al-Mu’minin to put in a lot of effort in the areas of governance, civil conduct, the handling of justice, and the security and facilities for the people,” Mujahid said.
According to the statement, the leader of the Islamic Emirate also discussed the development of relations with neighbors and other countries and solving existing problems, with the cabinet members during the meeting.
The statement said that the meeting was held on November 19 and 20.
“The members of the political commission led by the foreign minister were tasked with preparing internal and external policies and solutions in order to implement a constructive policy,” the statement reads.
“A government that does not have specific policies, especially a clear foreign policy towards its neighbors and the countries of the world, can never be successful,” said Najibullah Shamal, a political analyst.
Based on the statement, the leader of the Islamic Emirate in the meeting considered the implementation of Sharia rules and service to the people as the primary responsibility of the officials of the Islamic Emirate and asked the officials to work with the people instead of by force, through encouragement, persuasion and good manners.
The leader of the Islamic Emirate also ordered all the acting ministers to prioritize serving the returnees.
“The leader of the Islamic Emirate ordered all the ministers to prioritize serving the immigrants. Instead of force, try to invite people to Islam with encouragement and good morals. People will oppose you if it is with force. Necessary decisions were made regarding the supply of food and fuel and their timely delivery in the coming winter,” the statement reads.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, and Nooruddin Azizi, the acting minister of industry and commerce, both reported on their recent trips to Iran and Pakistan to the leader of the Islamic Emirate at the Council of Ministers meeting.
The statement added that in this meeting there was a discussion about the improvement of scientific capacity in religious and contemporary departments and solving the problems of professors and students.
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-186151
